I'd basically stand pat. Markov, Emelin, Subban, Gorges, Diaz is the core. If I paid out for a new guy, it would be a bigger meaner new guy, not Streit. There aren't many bigger meaner guys of any quality available, however. Maybe I'd scrounge up somebody with more of a depth persona, like Erskine. But save the bigger money for a forward, probably. Lacking alternatives. It would seem kind of pointless to buy out Kaberle and then turn around and sign Streit.

Mark Streit will on the market this summer I think the habs should offer-sheet him, Subban-Streit .

He is 34 years old so we wouldn't be breaking the bank and the Isles have so many contracts to negotiate this summer that I don't think they will offer him something that we couldn't offer better.

Bouillon's contract is coming to an end and we could still sign him to a 1yr 900K$ deal ( he's alright as a regular player but would be a great replacement D if any injuries occur ) with Kaberle and Weber gone we're looking at 5.1M$ of cap space ( with no buy-out ) so offering Streit a 3yr deal @ 4.0M$/yr and keeping (or not) Bouillon @ 900K$ we still save 200K$ of cap space.

He will be a UFA so no "offer sheet" needed.

I don't see a good fit for us. We need a big stay at home "crease cleaner" unless Tinordi is ready, not another offensive guy.

As an Avs fan this offer feels like Barrie, Sgarbossa, SOB and Jones for Subban and MaxPac.

Just saying.....

Well, I understand, but now that EJ is injured. It won't happen. DD had 60 pts last season; add Eller in range of 30-40 pts; Leblanc (mid-level prospect) and Weber (no value but 23 years old and 18pts last season) this isn't a ****y offer (but not the best, I know)

I'd basically stand pat. Markov, Emelin, Subban, Gorges, Diaz is the core. If I paid out for a new guy, it would be a bigger meaner new guy, not Streit. There aren't many bigger meaner guys of any quality available, however. Maybe I'd scrounge up somebody with more of a depth persona, like Erskine. But save the bigger money for a forward, probably. Lacking alternatives. It would seem kind of pointless to buy out Kaberle and then turn around and sign Streit.

Douglas Murray and Robyn Regehr would probably be the better targets this offseason for the Habs defensive needs. They can play third pairing, add some size, and play the PK. Rob Scuderi and Toni Lydman would be other options that will cost more and be higher up the depth chart. John Erskine and Andrew Alberts could be two targets for the #7 dman spot as veterans with size and don't hurt the team when they are needed to step into the lineup. Although a trade for a top 3 dman to play with Markov and Subban, and push the others down the depth chart would be awesome to shore up the defensive unit.

MB is evaluating his assets during this short season. IF the goal is really to build a Stanley Cup contender for many years, and considering the supposedly exceptional quality of this 2013 draft, he well positioned to trade himself into a postion where he would have 6-7 picks in the first two rounds without touching his core of the future (Price, Subban,Patch, GallyA, GallyB, Collberg, Tinordi, Thrower).

Habs already have one 1st and three 2nds...players like Markov, Gionta, Cole, DD can be traded to contending teams or even to some desperate GMs hoping to save their job (ex:WSH) in return of draft picks. IMO Markov would fetch a 1st +a role player and the others some solid 2nds.

I don't see the point of just giving away Kaberle just to help another team. If we can't get anything back of value then keep him, at least he is there if one of our d-men goes down.

moves Weber up to 7th Dman, opens up a contract spot, allows for a call-up of a Hamilton Dman if needed (Tinordi, St-Denis,Beaulieu...depending on type of Dman needed)

Also saves a compliance buyout for the summer that we can use to our advantage to perhaps buy a pick. Another team wants to get rid of someone but can't afford the buyout....we take him and buy him out. Et voila! another pick. Just opens up options

Douglas Murray and Robyn Regehr would probably be the better targets this offseason for the Habs defensive needs. They can play third pairing, add some size, and play the PK. Rob Scuderi and Toni Lydman would be other options that will cost more and be higher up the depth chart. John Erskine and Andrew Alberts could be two targets for the #7 dman spot as veterans with size and don't hurt the team when they are needed to step into the lineup. Although a trade for a top 3 dman to play with Markov and Subban, and push the others down the depth chart would be awesome to shore up the defensive unit.

Well, I hope the pro scouts are looking, anyway. I have not been reassured that Murray is still able to keep up. I know on paper and from reputation some of those guys look desirable, and there aren't a lot of D available, so they are going to get multi-year offers for good money from some teams out there. I just want to make sure my team does its homework and doesn't spend on the guy who can't live up to the deal anymore.

I would like to get one regular D with size, like the guys you mentioned on the upper end, then maybe a tough depth guy like Erskine as well... but we also have to be careful about not closing off a spot for Tinordi... if you have to sign one of the better guys on that list to a multi-year deal, it could have that effect. My inclination from viewings so far would be to let Tinordi have another year in the AHL at least, but I'm not sure the Habs will agree, plus Tinordi is going to have a long training off-season, so might come to camp more ready than he is at the end of this season. Also, with the Bulldogs possibly being out early, it's entirely likely Tinordi comes here at the end of the season.

Anyway, general idea of adding size on the blueline is the right approach. It's still a bit early to really zero in on how to do that. But still worth mulling some of the options that might be in the mix. I would definitely approach it via free agency and building from within, though.